SYAMSUL BAHRI MUHAMMAD | Chap Goh Meh

An ethnic Chinese Indonesian with his cheeks pierced stands on top of a chariot while in a trance during a Chap Goh Meh ritual parade on February 24, 2013 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Today locals are celebrating the Chap Goh Meh, which is the 15th day of Chinese New Year and represents the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations. Traditionally ,people visit temples and offer prayers in order to receive blessings and good fortune from the God of Prosperity. Getty Images/Syamsul Bahri Muhammad.(INDONESIA)

 

An ethnic Chinese Indonesian cuts his tongue as he puts himself into a trance during a Chap Goh Meh celebration on February 24, 2013 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Today locals are celebrating the Chap Goh Meh, which is the 15th day of Chinese New Year and represents the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations. Traditionally, people visit temples and offer prayers in order to receive blessings and good fortune from the God of Prosperity. Getty Images/Syamsul Bahri Muhammad. (INDONESIA)

 

Ethnic Chinese Indonesians recite prayers during Chap Goh Meh celebrations at a temple on February 24, 2013 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Today locals are celebrating the Chap Goh Meh, which is the 15th day of Chinese New Year and represents the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations. Traditionally, people visit temples and offer prayers in order to receive blessings and good fortune from the God of Prosperity. Getty Images/Syamsul Bahri Muhammad (INDONESIA).

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SAMSUL SAID | Chap Goh Meh

A Malaysian of ethnic Chinese scribbles her name and her phone number on an orange during the Chap Goh Meh festivals, marking the end of Chinese New Year celebrations, in Kuala Lumpur February 24, 2013. Legend says unmarried women throw tangerines into the sea with their phone numbers hoping a good man to find it. DPI/Samsul Said.

 

A Malaysian of ethnic Chinese burns lanterns during Chap Goh Meh festivals, marking the end of Chinese New Year celebrations in Kuala Lumpur February 24, 2013.  Legend says unmarried women throw tangerines into the sea with their phone numbers hoping a good man to find it. DPI/Samsul Said.

 

Malaysians of ethnic Chinese burn lanterns during Chap Goh Meh festivals, marking the end of Chinese New Year celebrations in Kuala Lumpur February 24, 2013. Legend says unmarried women throw tangerines into the sea with their phone numbers hoping a good man to find it. DPI/Samsul Said.

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BAZUKI MUHAMMAD | Gunmen in Lahad Datu

The Royal Malaysian Navy’s Combat Boat 90 fast military assault crafts patrol near the beach of Tanjung Labian, near the area where armed men are holding off in Kampung Tanduo, outside Lahad Datu town on Borneo island February 20, 2013. About 100 armed men holed up in the village in the Malaysian state of Sabah are refusing to leave, saying they have links with the Sultanate of Sulu in the Philippines which has a historic claim over the northern tip of Borneo island. Malaysia police and army officials have formed a tight security ring around the village, media said, with navy boats patrolling nearby islands. The gunmen landed near the coastal town of Lahad Datu on Tuesday. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA - Tags: CIVIL UNREST MILITARY POLITICS)

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BAZUKI MUHAMMAD | Gunmen in Lahad Datu

A special police force guards the area about 3km (2 miles) away from the location where armed men are holding off, during a visit by a minister in Sahabat 17 plantation farm, outside Lahad Datu on Borneo island February 19, 2013. About 100 armed men holed up in a village in the Malaysian state of Sabah are refusing to leave, saying they have links with the Sultanate of Sulu in the Philippines which has a historic claim over the northern tip of Borneo island. Malaysia police and army officials have formed a tight security ring around the village, media said, with navy boats patrolling nearby islands. The gunmen landed near the coastal town of Lahad Datu on Tuesday. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA - Tags: CIVIL UNREST MILITARY POLITICS)

 

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A member of the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Naval Special Warfare Forces guards the beach near an area where armed men are holding off, in Felda Sahabat plantation farm, outside Lahad Datu on Borneo island February 19, 2013. A peace deal between the Philippines and Muslim rebels has alienated traditional rulers and their followers about 100 of whom have occupied a village in nearby Malaysia, a member of the old ruling family said on Monday. The stand-off with police in Malaysia’s eastern state of Sabah has threatened to spark tension between the Philippines and Malaysia, whose ties have been periodically frayed by security and migration problems along their sea border. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA - Tags: CIVIL UNREST MILITARY POLITICS)

 

A special police force unit leads a convoy of a minister and his team after their visit to the area about 3km (2 miles) away from the location where armed men are holding off, in Sahabat 17 plantation farm, outside Lahad Datu on Borneo island February 19, 2013. About 100 armed men holed up in a village in the Malaysian state of Sabah are refusing to leave, saying they have links with the Sultanate of Sulu in the Philippines which has a historic claim over the northern tip of Borneo island. Malaysia police and army officials have formed a tight security ring around the village, media said, with navy boats patrolling nearby islands. The gunmen landed near the coastal town of Lahad Datu on Tuesday. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA - Tags: CIVIL UNREST MILITARY POLITICS)

 

Malaysia’s armed police arrive at the jetty after patrolling the sea near Lahad Datu in the state of Sabah on Borneo island February 16, 2013. About 100 armed men holed up in a village in the Malaysian state of Sabah are refusing to leave, saying they have links with the Sultanate of Sulu in the Philippines which has a historic claim over the northern tip of Borneo island. Malaysia police and army officials have formed a tight security ring around the village, media said, with navy boats patrolling nearby islands. The gunmen landed near the coastal town of Lahad Datu on Tuesday. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA - Tags: CIVIL UNREST MILITARY POLITICS)

 

Malaysia’s armed police inspect a vehicle outside Lahad Datu in the state of Sabah on Borneo island February 16, 2013. About 100 armed men holed up in a village in the Malaysian state of Sabah are refusing to leave, saying they have links with the Sultanate of Sulu in the Philippines which has a historic claim over the northern tip of Borneo island. Malaysia police and army officials have formed a tight security ring around the village, media said, with navy boats patrolling nearby islands. The gunmen landed near the coastal town of Lahad Datu on Tuesday. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS MILITARY)

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EDGAR SU | 6.9 Protest

People attend a demonstration against a government white paper on population at Speakers’ Corner in Singapore February 16, 2013. The paper released in January said the island’s population of 5.3 million could grow by as much as 30 percent by 2030, mostly through foreign workers to offset a chronically low birth rate. REUTERS/Edgar Su (SINGAPORE - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

 

People attend a demonstration against a government white paper on population at Speakers’ Corner in Singapore February 16, 2013. The paper released in January said the island’s population of 5.3 million could grow by as much as 30 percent by 2030, mostly through foreign workers to offset a chronically low birth rate. REUTERS/Edgar Su (SINGAPORE - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

 

People holding umbrellas attend a rally against a government white paper on population at Speakers’ Corner in Singapore February 16, 2013. The paper released in January said the island’s population of 5.3 million could grow by as much as 30 percent by 2030, mostly through foreign workers to offset a chronically low birth rate. The sign on bottom right refers to the year the next election is due. REUTERS/Tim Chong (SINGAPORE - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

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BAZUKI MUHAMMAD | Appeasing the spirits of the seas

Members of Malaysia’s indigenous Mah Meri tribe perform a dance on the seabed of the Malacca Straits at low tide during their "Puja Pantai", a thanksgiving ritual to appease the spirits of the seas, in village of Pulau Carey, outside Kuala Lumpur February 14, 2013. The Mah Meri tribe, who are descendants of seafaring people who lived off the sea through fishing and trading, celebrate their new year on February 14 this year according to the lunar calendar, by making offerings to the sea. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA - Tags: SOCIETY ENVIRONMENT RELIGION)

 

Members of Malaysia’s indigenous Mah Meri tribe perform prayers on the seabed of the Malacca Straits at low tide during their "Puja Pantai", a thanksgiving ritual to appease the spirits of the seas, in the village of Pulau Carey, outside Kuala Lumpur February 14, 2013. The Mah Meri tribe, who are descendants of seafaring people who lived off the sea through fishing and trading, celebrate their new year on February 14 this year according to the lunar calendar, by making offerings to the sea. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA - Tags: SOCIETY ENVIRONMENT RELIGION)

 

A shaman of Malaysia’s indigenous Mah Meri tribe performs prayers on the seabed of the Malacca Straits at low tide during their "Puja Pantai", a thanksgiving ritual to appease the spirits of the seas, in the village of Pulau Carey, outside Kuala Lumpur February 14, 2013. The Mah Meri tribe, who are descendants of seafaring people who lived off the sea through fishing and trading, celebrate their new year on February 14 this year according to the lunar calendar, by making offerings to the sea. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA - Tags: SOCIETY ENVIRONMENT RELIGION)

 

Young members of Malaysia’s indigenous Mah Meri tribe receive blessings from an elderly village leader after they perform a dance on the seabed of the Malacca Straits at low tide during their "Puja Pantai", a thanksgiving ritual to appease the spirits of the seas, in the village of Pulau Carey, outside Kuala Lumpur February 14, 2013. The Mah Meri tribe, who are descendants of seafaring people who lived off the sea through fishing and trading, celebrate their new year on February 14 this year according to the lunar calendar, by making offerings to the sea. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA - Tags: SOCIETY ENVIRONMENT RELIGION)

 

Members of Malaysia’s indigenous Mah Meri tribe perform prayers on the seabed of the Malacca Straits at low tide during their "Puja Pantai", a thanksgiving ritual to appease the spirits of the seas, in the village of Pulau Carey, outside Kuala Lumpur February 14, 2013. The Mah Meri tribe, who are descendants of seafaring people who lived off the sea through fishing and trading, celebrate their new year on February 14 this year according to the lunar calendar, by making offerings to the sea. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA - Tags: SOCIETY ENVIRONMENT RELIGION)

 

Members of Malaysia’s indigenous Mah Meri tribe perform prayers on the seabed of the Malacca Straits at low tide during their "Puja Pantai", a thanksgiving ritual to appease the spirits of the seas, in the village of Pulau Carey, outside Kuala Lumpur February 14, 2013. The Mah Meri tribe, who are descendants of seafaring people who lived off the sea through fishing and trading, celebrate their new year on February 14 this year according to the lunar calendar, by making offerings to the sea. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA - Tags: SOCIETY ENVIRONMENT RELIGION)

 

Shamans of Malaysia’s indigenous Mah Meri tribe perform prayers on the seabed of the Malacca Straits at low tide during their "Puja Pantai", a thanksgiving ritual to appease the spirits of the seas, in the village of Pulau Carey, outside Kuala Lumpur February 14, 2013. The Mah Meri tribe, who are descendants of seafaring people who lived off the sea through fishing and trading, celebrate their new year on February 14 this year according to the lunar calendar, by making offerings to the sea. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA - Tags: SOCIETY ENVIRONMENT RELIGION)

 

The shrine belonging to members of Malaysia’s indigenous Mah Meri tribe sits in the Malacca Straits before they perform prayers on the seabed at low tide during their "Puja Pantai", a thanksgiving ritual to appease the spirits of the seas, in the village of Pulau Carey, outside Kuala Lumpur February 14, 2013. The Mah Meri tribe, who are descendants of seafaring people who lived off the sea through fishing and trading, celebrate their new year on February 14 this year according to the lunar calendar, by making offerings to the sea. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA - Tags: SOCIETY ENVIRONMENT RELIGION)

 

A shaman of Malaysia’s indigenous Mah Meri tribe gets into a trance before he leads a procession to the Malacca Straits to perform their "Puja Pantai", a thanksgiving ritual to appease the spirits of the seas, in the village of Pulau Carey, outside Kuala Lumpur February 14, 2013. The Mah Meri tribe, who are descendants of seafaring people who lived off the sea through fishing and trading, celebrate their new year on February 14 this year according to the lunar calendar, by making offerings to the sea. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA - Tags: SOCIETY ENVIRONMENT RELIGION)

 

Members of Malaysia’s indigenous Mah Meri tribe perform prayers on the seabed of the Malacca Straits at low tide during their "Puja Pantai", a thanksgiving ritual to appease the spirits of the seas, in the village of Pulau Carey, outside Kuala Lumpur February 14, 2013. The Mah Meri tribe, who are descendants of seafaring people who lived off the sea through fishing and trading, celebrate their new year on February 14 this year according to the lunar calendar, by making offerings to the sea. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA - Tags: SOCIETY ENVIRONMENT RELIGION)

 

A shaman of Malaysia’s indigenous Mah Meri tribe leads a procession to the Malacca Straits to perform their "Puja Pantai", a thanksgiving ritual to appease the spirits of the seas, in Pulau Carey, outside Kuala Lumpur February 14, 2013. The Mah Meri tribe, who are descendants of seafaring people who lived off the sea through fishing and trading, celebrate their new year on February 14 this year according to the lunar calendar, by making offerings to the sea. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA - Tags: SOCIETY ENVIRONMENT RELIGION)

 

Members of Malaysia’s indigenous Mah Meri tribe perform prayers on the seabed of the Malacca Straits at low tide during their "Puja Pantai", a thanksgiving ritual to appease the spirits of the seas, in the village of Pulau Carey, outside Kuala Lumpur February 14, 2013. The Mah Meri tribe, who are descendants of seafaring people who lived off the sea through fishing and trading, celebrate their new year on February 14 this year according to the lunar calendar, by making offerings to the sea. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA - Tags: SOCIETY ENVIRONMENT RELIGION)

 

From left : Dome Nikong, Bazuki (front) Syahrin and Shahril.

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BAZUKI MUHAMMAD | Anti-Valentine’s Day

Did a 24-hour photo marathon today.

2000 Wed – shoot anti-Valentine’s campaign.
0500 Thu – edit anti-Valentine’s campaign.
0600 – Quick nap / 1 hour.
0800 – shoot Mah Meri appeasing the spirits of the seas.
2200 – edit Mah Meri appeasing the spirits of the seas.

That was more than a 24-hour cycle. But it was a great fun staying all night long on the Valentine’s Day, then continued with all the mud at the Malacca Straits with the beautiful Mah Meri people making their ritual prayers to the ocean.

 

Malaysian Islamic religious officers detain a Muslim woman after she was found together in the same room with a man at a budget hotel during a raid in Kuala Lumpur February 14, 2013. The raid, which is part of an anti-Valentine’s Day campaign, was conducted on Thursday by the Federal Territory Islamic Affairs Department, to bring awareness to Muslims the importance of not celebrating Valentine’s Day as it is not a part of Islamic practices, according to the department. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

 

Malaysian Islamic religious officers detain a Muslim man after he was found together in the same room with a woman at a budget hotel during a raid in Kuala Lumpur February 14, 2013. The raid, which is part of an anti-Valentine’s Day campaign, was conducted on Thursday by the Federal Territory Islamic Affairs Department, to bring awareness to Muslims the importance of not celebrating Valentine’s Day as it is not a part of Islamic practices, according to the department. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION)

 

A Muslim couple are being detained by Malaysian Islamic religious officer after they were found together in the same room at a budget hotel during an anti-Valentine’s Day campaign in Kuala Lumpur February 14, 2013. Malaysia has been campaigning to raise awareness among Muslims that Valentine’s Day is not a part of Islamic practices. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION)

 

A Muslim couple talks through a grill fence separating them while they are being detained by Malaysian Islamic religious officers after they were found together in a room at a budget hotel during a raid in Kuala Lumpur February 14, 2013. The raid, which is part of an anti-Valentine’s Day campaign, was conducted on Thursday by the Federal Territory Islamic Affairs Department, to bring awareness to Muslims the importance of not celebrating Valentine’s Day as it is not a part of Islamic practices, according to the department. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION)

 

Malaysian Islamic religious officers detain a Muslim man after he was found together in the same room with a woman at a budget hotel during a raid in Kuala Lumpur February 14, 2013. The raid, which is part of an anti-Valentine’s Day campaign, was conducted on Thursday by the Federal Territory Islamic Affairs Department, to bring awareness to Muslims the importance of not celebrating Valentine’s Day as it is not a part of Islamic practices, according to the department. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION)

I will hold my Mah Meri’s sea ritual until Friday.

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GHAZALI KORI | Chinese New Year

An ethnic Chinese Malaysian performs Chinese Opera during Chinese New Year celebrations in Kuala Terengganu February,10 2013. Photo by Ghazali Kori

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